Safety guard attachment for vehicles.



APPLICATION FILED FEB- 1913.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

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. APPLICATION FILED FEB-8, I913- 1,148,553.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

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SAFETY GUARD ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-8| 1913 Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

W, W. TALBOT.

SAFETY GUARD ATTACHMENTFOR VEHICLES APPLICATTON man FEB-8. 1913.

1,148,553. Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

III A'IIIIIIIIII'I sTA'rEs PATENT: OFFICE.

WILLIA WALL TALBOT, orlivnw YonKyn. Y.

SAFETY GUARD ATTACHMENT Fen VEHICLES.

To all whom-it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAiI WALL T L- nor, a citizen of the United States, residingat New York, in the county"and State ot New- York, have made'a certain new and useful Invention in Safety Guard Attach- 'lllentS-fOl Vehicles, of which the following is a. specification- This invention relates to'safetyguard at-.

tachments for vehicles.

The object of the inventlon is to provide a safety attachment for automobilesv or other vehicles, which is simple in construction and efficient in operation. and which is capable of ready attachment to any type ordesign of vehicle.

A further object is to provide a safety atta chment of the character referred to where in a curtain or its equivalent is automatirally projected downwardly and forwardly incase ofcollision of the vehicle with a person or object whereby toform asafety receptacle to receive and sustain theperson or other object if thrown down by the collision, thereby affording a safety meansto prevent the vehicle from running over such person or object.

A further object is to provide a main and an auxiliary curtain device for the purpose of increasing the etliciency of the device as a means of preventing injury to pedestrians in case of collision, the curtain devices being automatically tripped and. projected into position to receive and sustain the pedestrian. in case of being thrown. by the impact of collision.

tflther objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in. the roustruction. combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be i'uore fully hereiinrt'ter set forth as shown in the arronnninying drawings and finally pointed out .in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a view in top plan, parts being broken out and parts shown in horizontal section, showinga sa'i'ety guard attaelnnent for -vehicles in distended position for use as applied to' the front end of a vehicle such as an, an toiuoblle. Fig; 2 1s a view inside elevation showing a portion ofthe front end of a vehicle and the application thereto of a safety guard attachment embodying my i11- twntion, parts being shown in section and the safety curtains and their operating rods 7 Specificationof Letters Patent. Patented g, 3,1915, Application filed February 8, 1913. seria No. 746,989.

and frame being shown in full lines in retracted or restrained position, and in dotted lines in projected pos1tion.' Fig. 3.is a fragmentary broken detail. View showing; the lower curtain rollfand casing in transverse section, and the tripping mechanis'mfor, re-

leasing, thecurtain' operating rods. Fig. 4

is ,abroken detail view in horizontalsection 'on the line 4, 4, Fig. 5, of one of the guard, curtain roll casings and its ratchet and pawl detent. Fig. 5 is asimilar view in vertical transverse section of thesame'on line 5, 5,

. Fig. 4. Fig. .6 is a broken View intop plan,

showing one form of adjustable bracket mounting for the safety attachment embodying my invention. Fig. is a similar view 1n sideelevation of the construction shown in Fig. 6, the buffer spring and its caslng being n section. Fi 8 is a similar shown in section.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever 1t occurs throughout they several news.

The extensive use of motor vehicles, and

particularly of the modern automobile is attended with numerous instances of fatalities'to pedestrians and others by reason of collisions or the automobile striking, knocking down and running over persons on the streets. This is particularly the case Where the automobiles are driven-at liighspeed. on

crowded streets, or are operated by'incompetent." reelv'less or careless drivers. 7

Man ditlereut forms and constructions of deriees intended to reduce accidents due to the operation of automobiles have been proposed in the way of bumper operated fenders. life guards and the like, but so far i.

as I am aware no practical .or successful device of this nature has. been brought out: on

thelniarket. That- ,a need exists for 'such a devn'e is appz'trent from the fact that almost daily fatal accidents of the nature referrwl to occur. and the attention of legis latul'es is being directed to theenactment of laws having in view the prevention, elimina tion or at least the reduction of such accidents. .l\loreover, the accident insurance rates for the operation of automobiles are based largely on the risks incurred in the operation of such machines, and a practical, successful construction of safety guard which will reduce the risk and danger of operation of automobiles will result in a material reduction in the insurance rate.

It is among the special purposes of my invention to provide an automatic safety guard attachment for automobiles which is simple in construction and efficient in use and which is capable of ready application to any type of machine, wherein, in case a person is str ck by the machine while running, a curtain is projected forwardly'and downwardly into position to form a receiver or receptacle to catch the person collided with and support such person, thereby preventing the machine from runningover such person.

It sometimes happens that when a machine strikes person the victim of the accident may be thrown too high onto the machine to be caught by the safety curtain but-Will land on the radiator or other portion of the I front end of the vehicle, and will roll or be thrown off to the ground before the machine can be stopped and not only be injured by the i" all bLl; may so fall as to be caught underneath the machine or its wheels and still more serious injury be inflicted. Therefore, in accordance with my invention, I propose to employ an upper auxiliary safety curtain which is operated in conjunction with the lower curtain, and which is simultaneously therewith projected downwardly and forwardly into position to form, a safety receptacle to receive and hold a person struck and thrown by the machine. to construct and mount the safety attachment in such manner as to perform the function of the usual bumper, such as is ordinarily carried at the front ends of automobiles, and to provide means for the adj ustment of such bumper.

1V ith these and other objects and purposes in view I will now describe the construction shown in the accompanying drawings as one form of practical device for-carrying the same into practical operation.

In the drawing 12 designates a portlon of the front end of the'chassis or frame of a vehicle, such as an automobile, and 13, the

usual body spring therefor. Suitably mounted upon the chassis at opposite sides "of the machine are vertical standards 14,

'14, in the upper ends of which is mounted a curtain roller casing 15, inwhich is journaled curtain roller-116, onto. and from which a safety curtain 17 is designed to be rolled. Inasmuch as the curtain 17, roller '16 and casing 15, as Well as the associated ratchetwheel and pawl are the same in construction for the upper curtain as for the lowericurtain, presently to be described, a description of the details of the one will answer for that'of the other and'these features Will therefore be more fully described Figs. 2, 3,4 and 5'.

I also propose in connection with the lower curtain and It is sufi'icient for the present to say that the curtain 17 is attached at one end to the roller 16. At its other end the curtain 17 is attached to the portion 18 of a rocking frame, the side members 19, 19, of which are journaled to rock or swing upon a rod 20, extending transversely across the machine between the standards 14,. 'hen the curtain frame 18, 19, is in its vertical or retracted position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, with the curtain 17 rolled up on its roller 16, within the casing 15, said frame ismaintained in that )osition a ainst the action of s rin s the IV a P a tension of which is exertedto normally rock or throw sa d frame forwardly and downwardly into horizontal position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. A convenient arrangement of springs for this purpose and operation is shown wherein rods 21 are pivotally connected to brackets 22, carried by the side portions 19 of the curtain frame, said rods being arranged to work loosely through openings in the upturned ends 23 of brackets 24 carried by the chassis, acoiled spring 25, being interposed between the end 23 and a collar 26, carried by each rod.

-lVi'th this arrangement the tension of the casing 15 into the position indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 2, and in full lines in .Fig. 1, to form a. receptacle or safety re ceiver for a person thrown into the same.

livotally connected at their upper ends to the portion 18 of the upper curtain frame at each end thereof, as at 27, is a member 28, which, in the particular form shown, but 1 to which my invention as defined 'in the claims 1s not to be limited or restricted, is in the form of a rack bar. The two bars28, at

opposite sides of the machine are conncted together by a transverse bar 29, at their lower ends, and to thistransv rse'tbar 29, is connected the lower or free entl ofthe lower curtain 30. This curtain is rolled up on and from a rollel'" 31, mounted'in a casing 32, which is sppported'in adjustable hanger arm 33, foam a supporting bumper-bracket 31, mounted onthe side members 12 of the chassis. The casing 32 is formed with a pon the roller 31 is mounted a ratchet wheel 36, with which cooperates a pivoted dtent pawl 37. Suitable meaps such as a slot 35, through which the curtain works.

screw 38 mayserve to so adjust'the pawl 37 as to Withdraw and-hold the same in disengaged relation to the ratchet wheel 86. The purpose of this construction is to enable the curtain to be easily rolled up on its rollerv 31,.

. This movement of frame 18, 19, draws out the'upper curtain 17, while at the same time the rack bars 28 are, projected, forwardly byapplyingYa suitable wrench orother convenient tool'to the end 39, ofthe roller. lVhile' the curtain is being rolled up on the :roller the pawll 37 is in engaging relation ivithgthe ratchet wheel 36 to hold thej curtain in rolled up condition. After thecur- [tain ,has been completely rolled 'up' and the parts restored to their normal retracted po sition ready to .be projected into'positi'on for use when again trippedo'r' released the screws 38 are manipulated to withdraw the pawls from engaging relation with respect to the Wheels 36, so' as to leave the device "free for the curtain to be projected when tripped. As above explained the constructionand arrangement of the lower curtain,

. itsroller, casing and ratchet mechanism, as ust described, the-samefor the upper eurdifferent ways.

tain as for-the lower one. i The parts of thesafety attachment so far described may be held in their retracted positiOIls against the action of the springs 25, and maybe released for use, in case of accident or collision, in many specifically A. simple arrangement is shown wherein the front end of each chassis member 12 carries astud 41 on which is journaled a gear Wheel. 40. Each rack bar 28 engages a gear wheel lO. Loosely mountarranged to engage over the rack bar 28 to retain the same in engagement with the.

ed on each stud 41 is a rocking keeper 42,

gear wheel 40. By loosely pirating the rocking keeper 42, the racK bars 28 are permitted a desirable range of tilting movement, while being projected endwise, witlr out binding upon the gears. The gears are each engaged by a hand operated pawl 43, which prevents reverse rotation of said gearwhen in engaging relation therewith,

[but which may be thrown out ot engagement when the apparatus is to be reset ready The restraining detent to hold sition ready to be tripped, in the particular form shown, to wh ch. however my in-- ventionas defined in the claims is not to be limited or restricted. cor prises a detent lug or projection 44, which. engages the gear =10.

This detent is carried by a. rocking frame which includes a bar 4-5, extending transyersely across the machine, and arms 46,

which extend upwardly and 'lorwardly over the curtain casing and carry the trip bar .147. In case of a COlllSlOfl w th a 'iedestrian the trip bar is forced lmckwardly thereby rocking the arms 46, and rod 45, and releasing the detents 44- trom engagement with the-gears 40, and tl'iereupon the frame 18, .19, which is held'in vertical position rearu 'ardIj thereby taking against the actionof 'the'springs 25, by the engagement of-the detent 44 with the gears- 45, is instantly swung downwardly 'bylthe springs 25 into the position shown infull li'nesin Fig. l and in dotted lines in'Fig. 2.

and downwardly, thereby drawing out the lower or main curtain 30, the curtains 30, 17, being thus brought into position to catch and. hold the victim' struck by the machine and thus preventthe serious injury of such victim falling under and run over by the vehicle.

If desired the lower ends'of the rack bars may carry rollers or other suitable forms of runners, indicated at 48, to facilitate the movementthereof over the surface of the ground in case, through the weight oi. the

the further purpose. of a yielding bumper- I propose to mount the lower curtain casing and roller in such manne as to be yiehlingly pressed forwardly of the machine. w Many difl'crentconstructions of mountings to ac complish this purpose may be ei'i'iployed. I have shown various arrangements for the purpose. In Figs. 1, 2, 3, (i. 7 and b, one arrangement is shown wherein the bracket 3 which support the curtain carrier or casing arn'is'il l, is carried by parallel links 49, 50, which are pivotal] y connected to Said bracket at their upper ends, and to the supporting plate 42, at their lower ends. of said. links, as 4-9, is' in the form of a bell crank le\'er,.th'e short arm 51', of which has arod 52 pivotally connected thereto, which is arranged to extend into a casing 5 :3 and has a collar 5-i at its end against which bears a. coil spring 55, the other end oi said spring bearing against the cap 56 which closes the end ofsaid casing. The tension of this coil spring is exerted through the collar 54 and rod 52 tending to rock the bell crank lever 51, ill, in a. direction to maintain. the bracket Ill. and with it the lower curtain.casin 32,

yicldingly pressed forwardly. in case ot a se-' \'-1ere collision oi the machine with any ob ect the spring 55 permits the bracket-ill to yield ing the. shock of the impact.

'lhedesired adjustment oi the brackctJl i; and oi the curtain casing 'L4 in. many dillerent ways. As shown, pro-- up and. absorb-' may be secured.

vision is made for vertical adjustment ,by

providing the plate 42 with vertical slots 57. through which extend the bolts 58, by, -means o! which sa id plate is secured to the chassis. Further adjustment of the curtain casing is secured by providing the carrying arms with a hub portion having serrated teeth arranged to be clamped against a coiipcratingly serrated hub face, as indicated at 60, these hub faces being clamped together. By loosening up the clamp bolt which holds these hub faces together the arms 33 may be adjusted angularly to any desired position and then securely clamped in their adjusted relation. The hub portion 6], may also be mounted for angular ad justment about the aXis of the vertical bolt (32, by means of which it is supported in the end of the bracket 34.

In Figs. 9, 10 and 11, I have shown a slightly different bumper construction which, on account of its simplicity, I prefer to use in many cases. In this arrangement the lower curtain casing will be carried by a hanger 63 which is mounted for adjustment transversely of the machine by a slot and bolt connection, indicated at 64, with a casting 65. This casting includes a chamber in which is seated a coil spring 66, which engages a washer 67, carried by a bolt 68, the latter forming means for adjustably securg the s g 5, to a carrier member 671' The casting (35 is provided with a rounded seat socket in which is received a similarly shaped shoulder or projection on the 1nember 67, these partsbeing yieldingly held in seated relation by the bolt 68 and spring 66. This construction permits a desirable range of flexibility and relative yielding movement of the parts which prevents binding thereof. The member 67 telescopes into the chamber of a casing 69, in which is contained a coil spring 70, which bears at one end against the bottom wall. of casing 69, and at the otherend against a shoulder on the member 67, so as to normally press the member 67 for wardly. Limit stops or lugs 71, 72 serve to limit the extent of forward movement of the member 67 and the parts carried there' by. The casing 69 is carried by a clamp member 73, which is inoi'u'ited for angular adjustment on a plate 74-, which in turn is vertically adjustal'ile by means of slotted clamps 75 which secure the same to the chassis member- 12. This provides for universal adjustment of the curtain casing and enables the same to perform the function of a bumper which yields under the influence of a severe collision and takes up and absorbs the resulting shock without doing injury to the victim of the collision or to the machine.

It believed that the operation of the safety attachment embodying my invention as shown and above described will be fully understood andcomprehended by persons skilled in the art.

llaving now set forth the'objeets and pur poses of my invention and constructions embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own in vention, and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. In a safety attachment for automobiles and other vehicles, a curtain, a roller there for, a rod connected to the lower edge of the cinitain, bars connected to the ends of said rod, means for yieldingly retaining said bars in retracted relation and means positioned in advance and independent of said roller and said curtain for tripping said retaining means to permit said bars tobe projected forwardly and downwardly to carry the curtain into position to form a scoop receptacle.

In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles, a casing mounted-at the front end of the vehicle, a roller journaled in said casing, a curtain adapted to be rolled up on said roller, a rod connected to the free end of saidcurtain, bars connected to said rod, means to project said bars diagonally downwardly and forwardly, a detent for restraining said projecting means, and means positioned in advance and independent of said casing for releasing said detent.

3. In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles, a casing mounted at the front end of the vehicle, a roller journaled in said casing, a ratchet gear carried by said roller, a releasable pawl'engaging said gear, a curtain adapted to be rolled up on said roller, means under tension connected to the free end of the curtain and adapted, when released, to project the curtain downwardly and forwardly, a detent for restraining said tension means, and means for releasing said detent.

4. In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles, a casing, aroll'er journaled therein, a curtain adapted to be wound on said roller, spring pressed bars connected to the free end of the curtain, a detent for restraining said bars, and a fender bar independent of said casing extending in ad detent to release the same.

5. In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles, a curtainmounted at the front end of the vehicles, bars connected to the free end of said curtain, said bars having upturned ends, means for exerting a tension on said bars to project the same endwise forwardly and downwardly, a detent to hold said bars in retracted position, and a fender bar positioned in advance of the curtain roller to release saiddetent in case of collision.

(3. In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles, a curtain mounted at the front end of the vehicle. rack bars connected to the free end ofthe curtain, a spring acting on said bars tending to project the same endwise forwardly and downwardly, gears engaged-by said bars, detents engaging said gears, and a fender bar. positioned in advance' of the curtain to release said ,detents.

7 In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles a curtain mounted at the detents for said gears, and a fender bar connected to-the detents to release the same, said fender bar being positioned in advance of the curtain.

' -8. In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles, a casingmeans for adjust-' ably supporting the same at the front end of the vehicle, a curtain secured at one end in said casing, means connected to the free end of the curtain to project the same forwardly and downwardly from the casing, a detent for restraining said projecting means, and a fender bar positioned in advance and independent of the casing for tripping "said 7 detent in case of collision.

9. In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles,- a casing, a yieldingly mounted support therefor at the front end of the. vehicle, a curtain secured at one end in said casing, spring pressed means connected to the free end of the curtain to project the samevforwardly and downwardly, a

detent for restraining said projecting means and a fender bar positioned in advance and independent of said casing and connected to the detent for releasing the same.

10. In a safety attachment, for automobiles or other vehicles, an upper curtain and a lower curtain mounted at the front end of the vehicle, means connecting the lower ends of said curtains, restraining devices for retaining said connecting means under tension in retracted position and tripping mechanism for releasing said restraining means.

11. In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles, an upper and a lower curtain mounted at the, front end of the vehicle, a spring pressed frame connected to the free end of the upper curtain, bars connected to said frame and to the free end of the lower curtain, a detent for holding said frame in retracted position, and means for tripping said detent.

12. In a safety attachment for automobiles or other vehicles, an upper and a lower curtain mounted at the front end of the vehicle, a spring pressed rocking frame connected to the free end of the upper curtain, bars pivotally connected to said rocking frame, said bars connected at their lower ends to the free end of the lower curtain, a detent to hold said frame and barsin retracted position, and means for tripping said detent to release the same. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, on this 3rd day of February A. D. 1913.

WILLIAM WALL TALBOT.

Witnesses:

W. A. DARBY,

G, A. MCGRATH. 

